Susan Rice Claims Zelensky's Oval Office Incident Was a Setup

During a tense Oval Office meeting on February 28, President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky engaged in a hostile exchange that many observers believe was a setup aimed at humiliating Zelensky. Initially cordial, the meeting quickly devolved into a shouting match with Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance criticizing Zelensky, suggesting he was ungrateful and dismissive. Susan Rice, former National Security Adviser, described the encounter as an embarrassment for the U.S., asserting that Zelensky was coerced into agreeing to unfavorable terms regarding a minerals deal without security guarantees. Critics from both sides pointed to the event as a strategic manipulation to play to Trump's base, highlighting the dramatic shift in tone from Trump's earlier conciliatory remarks. The meeting ended without any agreement, leaving the Ukrainian ambassador visibly distressed and prompting backlash from various political figures. Overall, the incident raised questions about the treatment of allies in diplomatic settings under the current administration.